The fowler-hickey story

My paternal grandparents, Peter Fowler and Cassie Hickey, both came to the US through Ellis Island. Cassie came with her sister Sara on the S.S. Majestic. Their sister Annie was already in the US, living in NJ. Peter and Cassie both lived near Falls Rd, Belfast, about two blocks from each other, according to census reports, and probably knew each other from the nearby parish.

Peter was a mechanic on the Eastern King, one of the transport ships between Dublin and NYC. They married in the US.

My mom's side, O’Brien-Connolly, was from County Roscommon.

My grandpa, Peter, lived with Cassie and her two sisters in one house! This was a bit rough on Peter. I was told by my uncle, who was a bit older than my dad and recalled more stories or “episodes!” One was that Peter came home drunk, again, at Christmas, and had brought a tree. I do not know what happened, but my uncle said Peter was kicked out of the house, and the tree followed him!

My cousin, also Peter, visited Belfast last year. Both of the “flats” our grandparents lived in have been torn down. I plan to visit this Fall and hope to research both families and see if I have relatives still in West Belfast.